Colleagues,
I hope you each had a productive week. I want to thank the members of our high school staff for a terrific back-to-school night last evening at WHS! There was such a great “buzz” among parents and caregivers after meeting our educators and learning more about the incredible learning opportunities at the high school. And how about the view of the northern lights last night? Amazing! Here’s a photo near our home that captured some of the incredible color:
I also wanted to remind our staff of the community forum that our Academic Calendar Task Force is hosting on next Tuesday evening as this group moves closer to making a recommendation to the School Committee:
Dear Members of the WPS Community,
The Academic Calendar Task Force (ACTF) invites WPS parents/caregivers, teachers/staff, and students to a community forum this Tuesday, October 15 at 7 p.m. on Zoom to learn more about the work of the Task Force and the academic calendar options that are being considered for SY2025-26, prior to a recommendation being made to the School Committee.
Attendees will have a chance to ask questions and share feedback. Register for the forum here.
In last night’s meeting, the task force reviewed survey results as well as discussed options for consideration. Three potential calendar models have emerged for further discussion by the task force:
- A calendar that includes federal/state holidays only, including Christmas Day
- A calendar that includes up to three additional school holidays – either Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur, one Eid, and Lunar New Year
- A calendar that includes three additional school holidays that rotate annually among the six days currently observed
Neither this year’s calendar (which included six additional religious or cultural holidays) nor the previous calendar (which included two Jewish holidays and Good Friday) were favored by the task force. Watch the meeting video.
For more information on the task force, please see the dedicated webpage. Thank you for your interest in this topic, and we hope you can join the community forum on Tuesday. You may also email the ACTF at calendartaskforce@wellesleyps.org.
Linda Chow and Niki Ofenloch
ACTF Leaders and School Committee Members
Finally, I want to wish everyone a safe and restful long weekend in which members of our community will be observing Yom Kippur tomorrow and Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday. Thanks for all that you do to support our students each day in WPS!
Best, David
Calendar
October 14 – Indigenous Peoples Day (Schools and Offices Closed)
October 15 – Academic Calendar Task Force Community Forum
October 29 – School Committee Meeting
November 1 – Diwali (Schools Closed)
November 7 – Early Release PreK-5 (Parent Conferences)
November 11 – Veterans Day (Schools and Offices Closed)
November 12 – School Committee Meeting
Condolences to…
Michelle Weir, PAWS Teacher, on the passing of her father on October 6.
Join us for the 35th Wellesley Spelling Bee!
Wednesday, November 13th, 7 pm, WHS Cafeteria
The Wellesley Spelling Bee is a Wellesley tradition that brings our community together to celebrate education. The Bee is a major fundraiser for WEF and raises money to fund enrichment programs for the Wellesley Public Schools – and it is great fun for participants and observers alike! We hope to see you there!
Click here to register a team of spellers for $500. Who can form a team? Anyone! Local businesses, community groups, town committees, friends, neighbors, etc.!
Click here to sponsor a high school or community team. Business sponsorships are available at various levels and provide great exposure for your organization to the Wellesley community
Questions? Email wellesleyeducationfoundation@gmail.com.
Nominate A Staff Member for the Educator Leadership Institute Program
Please take 1 minute and click on THIS FORM to nominate a member of your staff for the ACCEPT Educator Leadership Institute (ELI) Program.
We all want quality leadership in public education. We need your help identifying the next generation of educational leaders from your school. ELI candidates obtain DESE Administrative licensure while also earning a Master’s degree from Fitchburg State.
Our recruiting flier describes the program and info session dates at ACCEPT in Natick this fall.
Please take 1 minute and click on THIS FORM, and you will honor one of your educators with this leadership nomination. ELI will reach out to your candidate directly to invite them to the program.
Please submit your nomination now. You just might inspire the next great school leader!
Are You Interested in After School Work?
The Fitness & Health Department is seeking teachers, paraprofessionals and teaching assistants who are interested in working in the Intramural Program at Wellesley Middle School. Responsibilities include running sessions and after school activities for a stipend. Specific assignments and activities vary, and are organized by the WMS Intramural Coordinator.
We are also seeking qualified faculty and staff members to monitor the High School Fitness Center, after school. A background in Exercise Science, Human Physiology or Personal Training is preferred.
If you are interested in either of these positions, please email Joanne Grant, Director of Fitness and Health, at: GrantJ@wellesleyps.org. Immediate openings are available.
COVID-19 Tests
Order your 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests by clicking this link.
MAALANA Affinity Group
Sponsored by
(IDEAS) INITIATIVES for DEVELOPING EQUITY and ACHIEVEMENT for STUDENTS &(M.A.S.S.) MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION of SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS
INVITATION TO IDEAS AFFINITY GROUP FOR EDUCATORS OF COLOR 2024-2025
(Updated 7/11/2024)
The IDEAS MAALANA affinity group provides a space for educators of color to network. The conversation is organic; there is typically no set agenda. Participants bring their willingness to engage, support, and brainstorm on school-related issues, process scholarly articles, and promote social justice. MAALANA also provides an opportunity to share each other’s company, and enjoy light refreshments when we meet in person. Meetings occur ten times over the school year. An email reminder is sent out each month to remind folks as to whether the meeting will be virtual on Zoom or in person, and a summary is sent after each meeting with links to articles on related topics. There is no commitment to attend all meetings. The meeting time is generally from 4:00 PM EST – 6:00 PM EST once a month, most often on the Second Friday. The physical location may change but it typically off 128/95 in the Waltham, MA area.
MAALANA is an affinity group designed to provide opportunities for educators of color from various communities in (or connected to) Massachusetts. We share school experiences regarding topics of race, culture, ethnicity, power/ privilege, culturally responsive teaching practices, and systemic social change to create educational equity. Strategies for addressing the academic achievement of children of color, preparing all students to successfully navigate a culturally diverse society, and collaboration techniques among colleagues are discussed.
MAALANA educators are Multiracial, Asian, Arab, African Descent, Latino/a, and/or Native American (Indigenous) educators, advisors, counselors, administrators, staff, consultants, tutors, and retired educators of color. We are people who are the only or one of few of their racial/ ethnic group in their building or school system. Claudia A. Fox Tree has facilitated the monthly meetings since the 2006-2007 school year. Please do not confuse us with MA-ALANA (with a hyphen), the Massachusetts Teachers’ Association (MTA) committee that formed in 2020.
Two (2) Contact hours will be awarded for attendance per meeting These may be combined with the IDEAS Book Group for a “bundle” of 10.
We typically meet on the lands of the Pawtucket, Agawam, Nipmuc, Massachusett, and Wampanoag.
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DATES: Please “pencil in” our 10 Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year Summer dates will be determined at the April meeting. Unless otherwise noted, we meet on Fridays (typically the second Friday of the month), usually in the Waltham Area from 4:00-6:00 pm EST. 2024-25 Dates are: Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Dec. (skip), Jan. 10 (likely to be virtual), Feb. 13 Thursday due to Feb. break (likely to be virtual), March 14, April 11, May 9 (Bring Your Ally), July (TBD), and August (TBD). Summer dates will be determined at the April meeting.
There is no commitment to attend all meetings.
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Please email cfoxtree@gmail.com, to join the mailing list. You will receive reminders, announcements, and summaries, whether or not you attend.
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WHS Child Lab
The WHS Child Lab is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year. Children who will be three years old or four years old by September 1st, 2025 are eligible to apply. Please contact Heidi Marquedant at marquedanth@wellesleyps.org for an application. All applications are due by October 31st.
Opportunities from the Town of Wellesley
Teachers and Department Heads – Apply for a Wellesley Cultural Council Grant!: The Wellesley Cultural Council (WCC) is now accepting grant applications to help fund visual arts, performing arts, and more! The WCC is the local presence of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and is a grassroots funding network supporting community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. Apply for a 2025 grant here. The WCC expects to have between $7,000 and $8,000 to award this year. All grant applications must be received by Wednesday, October 16, 2024. For questions or information, contact the Wellesley Cultural Council at culturalcouncil@wellesleyma.gov
Get your event featured!: The Town of Wellesley has a new Community Events Calendar on its website. Schools or departments hosting events are welcome to submit an event for inclusion on the town-wide calendar. Send details via the event submission form.
The WELLesley Employee Newsletter
Please click here to view the October edition.
Human Relation Services
The Human Relation Services (HRS) can help. Wellesley Public Schools has contracted with HRS to provide up to ten free counseling visits for you and/or your family members. This program is designed to help you deal with stresses of life and work –including personal and family issues, drug or alcohol problems, and job related tension. It offers prevention and intervention to reduce these stresses and improve coping skills.
HRS is located at 11 Chapel Place in Wellesley and can be reached at 781-235-4950. This is a confidential service. Wellesley Public Schools is not aware of the names of employees or their family members who utilize this service.
Do you have a question for the WPS Human Resources Department?
Email AskHR@Wellesleyps.org. The Human Resources Department is happy to assist you.
WPS Internal Job Postings on District Website
For all Internal Job Postings, please go to “Internal Job Postings” under the Faculty tab of the District’s website. How to Apply for WPS Internal Job Postings as a New Internal Applicant